Bradford on Avon Mayor John Potter is pushing forward with plans to protect the town from flooding.

Flood defences supplied by Bristol City Council were installed in the Bull Pit and Westbury Gardens last week as river levels rapidly rose.

Despite a week of a wet weather the defences protected the town, but a fire crew from Bradford on Avon spent three hours on Friday pumping water from the Bull Pit where water had seeped under the barriers because of the uneven surface.

Mr Potter said: “The Environment Agency, fire and police have all worked well in a team. They have done the best they can.

“We would like to have the barriers here in the town, perhaps at the fire station so we can have them up in no time at all when there is a flood risk.

“We are joining in with the Wiltshire Flood Team and meeting in March to begin to talk to engineers and see how it can be funded.”

Mr Potter showed the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, William Wyldbore-Smith, and his wife Prisca around the town on Monday to see the damage the Christmas Eve floods caused to businesses.

C S Bowyer funeral directors in the Bull Pit has received its drying out certificate and can now start with refurbishment work.

Landlord Chris Bowyer said: “It (the defences) will give reassurance and make people feel more comfortable. We have coped before and we will cope again.”

The Swan Hotel has continued to be affected, with floodwater rising through the drains, causing the Cellar Bar and Coach House to stay closed.

Owner James Sullivan-Tailyour said: “I think that given what’s happened in the past, I am very excited that things are moving ahead.”